One among my finest associates has a phrase she says loudly and infrequently: “The Phrase works!” It doesn’t matter what kind of prayer request I hit her with, that’s her response. And she or he’s proper. Sadly, scripture carries a singular energy that we don’t faucet into almost sufficient.
Take into consideration the final trial you went by means of, that final storm you weathered. Was your first intuition to name your mother for recommendation? Perhaps speak to your pastor? Vent to a pal? Join counseling? These are all good choices—we want a godly group and knowledge from believers who’re extra mature than we’re. However I do know I’m too responsible of going to the Phrase later quite than sooner.
I began pondering that truth—what holds me again? I know the Phrase is highly effective. I grew up in church, so I’ve a ton of verses available at the back of my thoughts, to not point out about 5 copies of scripture in varied codecs. Hey, I might nonetheless discover Obadiah in below 5 seconds (thanks, Bible Drill!) I’m additionally comparatively fast to hope. However I’m not fast to crack my Bible, and I needed to determine why.
And I believe it’s as a result of my coronary heart waffles on what my head is aware of is true. My head is aware of that Timothy had it proper right here:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and worthwhile for instructing, for reproof, for correction, and for coaching in righteousness, that the person of God could also be full, outfitted for each good work.
And so did Peter.
1 Peter 1:24-25 (ESV) …for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory just like the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls, however the phrase of the Lord stays perpetually.” And this phrase is the excellent news that was preached to you.
I knew and agreed in my head that scripture teaches and corrects us, is everlasting, inerrant, and has a goal—many functions. However my coronary heart was struggling to maintain up with that fact.
Till just lately.
My husband and I are in a tough season, the place we discover ourselves praying rather a lot, Searching for God for path, knowledge, and provision. Fortunately, our dangerous days not often coincide, so we are able to take turns boosting one another’s religion on this space. (Generally, actually each different day!)
However at some point we crashed on the similar time. It was an ideal storm of hormones (largely me), exhaustion (largely him), and discouragement. We had been in additional than a funk. We had been in despair. I can’t even start to explain the load of the shadow hanging over us. Circumstances, positive, but in addition warfare. We sat on our again patio, speaking a bit, and my husband lastly mentioned he simply needed to relax out for a bit. Play the Wordle. Watch reels and disconnect for some time. Truthfully, I did too, however…the phrases that got here out of my mouth as a substitute had been “I believe we should always learn scriptures on hope.”
Hubby sighed however instantly opened his iPad and looked for verses on that subject. I sensed his discouragement. I felt it deep in my bones: ” Alright, however this in all probability gained’t assist.”
It jogs my memory of Peter being advised to let down his internet once more after fishing all night time with zero outcomes. And Jesus watched as Peter obeyed, most probably with a figuring out grin.
We caught 100 “fish” that morning on the patio. My husband wasn’t two sentences right into a verse from Isaiah when his voice cracked and his eyes welled. Mine had been fast to comply with. He completed that verse. I croaked out “extra.” He stored studying. Verse after verse after verse on hope. As he learn, we might really feel the load lifting from our weary shoulders. Might see the shadows retreating. The sunshine is pushing by means of.
The ambiance modified. Our hearts modified.
We might breathe.
Peace invaded.
And that’s once I lastly grasped the true which means of this outstanding passage in Hebrews.
Ephesians 6:11-17 (ESV) Placed on the entire armor of God, that you simply might be able to stand in opposition to the schemes of the satan. For we don’t wrestle in opposition to flesh and blood, however in opposition to the rulers, in opposition to the authorities, in opposition to the cosmic powers over this current darkness, in opposition to the religious forces of evil within the heavenly locations. Due to this fact, take up the entire armor of God, that you simply might be able to face up to within the evil day, and having carried out all, to face agency. Stand subsequently, having fixed on the belt of fact, and having placed on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as sneakers in your ft, having placed on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the protect of religion, with which you’ll extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the phrase of God…
I learn that verse on the sword rather a lot rising up and as a younger grownup, pondering “cool imagery, however…how? How can we take up the sword of the Spirit?” Now I do know. To wield a bodily sword, it’s a must to choose it up. You may’t struggle a bodily battle when the sword is on the bottom. The identical goes with God’s Phrase and our religious battles. You have to bodily choose up the Phrase and begin studying. Out loud, in case you can. (There’s simply one thing about studying and listening to your self say the Phrase on the similar time that causes deeper engagement)
That day on the patio, and day-after-day, our battle wasn’t in opposition to one another. And even in opposition to the circumstances we confronted. It was in opposition to the enemy camp. My husband and I fought that day and gained as a result of we used the correct weapon. By the grace of God, we selected to place down the Wordle and choose up the Phrase…and it modified the forecast of our total day. It modified every little thing. Our circumstances may stay the identical now, however our hearts aren’t.
Our hope was restored, by means of the Phrase—identical to Romans 15 promised.
Romans 15:4 (ESV) For no matter was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by means of endurance and thru the encouragement of the Scriptures we’d have hope.
My pal is true. “The Phrase works!” And it’s not solely a sword.
Proverbs 30:5 (ESV) Each phrase of God proves true; he’s a protect to those that take refuge in him.
Solely God might prepare one thing that cool. The identical weapon that lets us struggle to victory can be the identical instrument that protects us: our sword and our protect.
And right here’s the place I get actually excited…
The Phrase can be an individual.
John 1:1-5, 14 (ESV) To start with was the Phrase, and the Phrase was with God, and the Phrase was God. He was at first with God. All issues had been made by means of him, and with out him was not any factor made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the sunshine of males. The sunshine shines within the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… And the Phrase turned flesh and dwelt amongst us, and we have now seen his glory, glory as of the one Son from the Father, stuffed with grace and fact.
Jesus.
The Phrase IS Jesus. Now we have the Phrase in our telephones by means of our Bible app, the Phrase printed on pages on our bookshelf, and the Phrase in our very hearts, dwelling in us. God outfitted us with every little thing we have to struggle the nice struggle. We’re with out excuse.
So I problem you, pricey reader, the subsequent time you’re stumbling in darkness, or end up in want, oppressed, discouraged, or with out hope, go to the Phrase. Go first. Go rapidly. Go arduous. Combat with the weapons that assure victory.
And win the battle.
Belief me (and my pal)—The Phrase works.
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